The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-29
TAYLOR'S AFRICAN MISSION
The Bishop and His Party Have an Adj
venture with an Angry Elephant.
Establishing Mission Stations in the Interior
Native Belief in the Virtue of Piles OF
Stones-An Awfully Lazy People.

Native Belief in the Virtue of Piles of
Stones-An Awfully Lazy People.
Correspondence OF tho India napoIis Journal.
ST. PAUL DE LoANDA. ANGOLA, Africa. Feb.
20-Mssionary Dodron's illness, as described
in the last letter, made little delay in the tramp
to Nhanguepeppo by Bishop Taylors adventur-
Gus party. Judicious of quinine and rspose
put him his feet again in day, and the
march was resumed. The first day passed I'M
eventually. The sun was hot and the way was
Steep but patient and steady effort took them
ahead of the Bishops three miles an hoUc during
the forenoon and the afternoon was spent rs
before in resting It is probable that the strength
the Bishop afterward exhibited. making himself
practically the champion long-distance walker Of
the coast would have been sufficient to take
him through good part of the afternoon with
out danger; but not only did Mr.. Dodsons con-
dition demand moderation; the native carriers,
as well, had to be considered, End in mercy to
Thorn, il for no other reason. the Bishop would
have rested.
The little party was well along into the sec
ond days tramp, when they descended a steep
and thickly wooded hill to the bank of stream
that ran across their path and emptied few
miles below into the Coanza river. Means of
crossing it had been provided by previous travel
ers and natives From tho lower branches of a
large tree close by the bank two ropes extended
across the stream They were parallel and
about eighteen inches apart They wero At
tachsd in q similar way to the other side. Small
cords were suspended from each rope in pairs
and to the ends of these cords clsats attached SO
so that one could walk across by stepping from
one cleat to the other and grasping meantime
the main ropes, which were about breast high
One went over At time, and the weight OF
single man was naturally sufficient to bend the
bridge down, and in the middle of the stream
the traveller found himself walking in the water
1t came, however, no higher than his heels, and
SO was of no cor sequence. They crossed over in
this way. and began the ascent of the opposite
slope Here it was not SO thoroughly wooded
For quarter of mile moro there were NO
trees at all. simply tall rank grass aud few
shrubs. Then there was a growth of small trees,
and quarter OF mile further the great forest
began again. Just after they had entered the
region of small trees the natives stopped sud
denly in their walk and looked about them.
They were listening. and they and the Bishop
could hear distant baying that reminded him
slightly Of ths sounds OF hounds on the hunt;
Even as he listened he could tell that the sound
was approaching.
ut is an elephant" said one of the nativeA
''The hunters have driven him into the forest,
and trying to catch him whore he cannot
travel fast. The trees will impede him."
Then the sound was heard more distinctly. and
the faint shouts Of tho pursusrs came to the ear.
They are coming this wayl" exclaimed one of
the guides to his companions.
In a moment moro the heavy, numbering tread
of the giant beast WAS distinguishable, and the
natives showed signs of alarm. They threw
down their baggage and scattered in every di-
rection with shouts of caution to their fellow
travellers. The hoarse painting of the elephant,
and the crashing of twies and underbrush were
but the warning Of the animals approach, and
in = moment more he was in sight through the
trees, making directly for the party. Every one
of the guides by this time was up tree, and
they were in great luck to ind one that did not
bend SO much under their weight as to bring
them to the ground again. The Bishop and Mr..
Dodson ran off to one side as fast as they could
They had gone about five rods when Mr. Dodson
sprawlinc upon the ground, and the
Bishop. who was close behind him.
rolled in heap. They remained
where they were instinctivey believing that the
elephant had not seen them and that if he had
he was in too much of hurry to STOP He came
tearing along directly in tho footpath. his trunk
partly raised, his breath coming and going in
thunderous snorts. When he reached the spot
~ for instant, turned aside and went for
tree TO which one of the carriers had climbed.
The frightened African was too far up to be
reach al. and the elephant trumpeted a roar of
But he reached up with his trunk
and grasped the tree a few feet below where the
poor man was lodged and gave it a tremendous
shake. The carrier was unable to maintain his
hold. and fell not straight down-it seemed to
the Bishop and his companion il he
had been thrown as from a catapault-
but but away. away to one side side and back OF
would have turned about to complete his
be said, for the shouts of the pur-
suers sounded loudly at the moment, and we'll
thrown javslin pierced his Tapping ear. He
gave vent to another loud howl and resumed his
course down the slope The Bishop and Mr..
Dodson rose at once and ran to the spot whore
hunting party passed They were greatly sur
prised at the sight of white men, and shouted
some words to the black carriers and then con-
tinued on after the elephant. The carrier whom
the beast had thrown from the tree-top was
found sitting up rubbing his elbows and looking
surprised at finding himself alive.
He was not seriously hurt In his involuntary
light he had gone into the branches of another
tree, and then into still another. and so, with
gentleness, to the ground. His
shins and elbows were scratched and slightly
bruised, but his capacity for marching not
impaired The elephant had stepped
the small remnant of cassave bread that
the party carried. and had battered the tea
kettle with an Incidental kick. but further
damage was done. The shouts of the hunters
were heard in wild excitement the slope be-
low, and the party won't back few rods to ses
the outcome of tho pursuit When they arrived
st the edge of the small trees region they could
see the elephant at the river He had just
reached the bank. and had stopped, apparently,
N doubt. The stream flows very swiftly at this
point making genuine rapids. and the water
moreover is deep Had it been quiet stream
the elephant would have jumped in and forded
L. but he could see his danger. He turned first
IS if to run down stream along the bank then
changed his mind, waved his long trunk in the
Air. and started up the other way. He had not
zone two steps when several javelins struck him.
They were mere aunoyances but they reminded
him of his pursuers and he turned clear around
md faced them. For instant it seemed as if
le meant to make a fight of it, The excitement
If the fight and the proximity of his foes, how
.ver. did not rattle him." az sporting men put
t. and he swung about once more, faced the
liver, and, with great below, plunged
n. A few steps only brought him where it was
'ither beyond his depth into tho current too
strong for him, the party on the hill could not
ay which. He began to founder and toss about
n the water making great commotion. Sew
raj of the hunters started the rope
bridge. Their purpose was to head the animal
IF. should he succeed in reaching the other
had ont heyo the mid